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The average haul has been greater since the 1st of September 

 than before, but there has been a less proportion of difficult excava- 

 tion, such as of clay, for deep sewer trenches, &c. The reduction of 

 the average cost is in part due to this last fact, but chiefly to the 

 better discipline of the labor force. 



Such sewers have been laid as were required to conduct away 

 the water from the surfaces being graded. It is not advisable to 

 determine the details of the system of sewerage until the grades of 

 a larger surface are definitely established. 



Owing to the peculiar conformation of the ground selected for 

 the park, giving, as it does, deep valleys or hollows with no natural 

 outlets, the cost of drainage will necessarily be large, both in 

 trenching for sewers and in shaping the ground for proper surface 

 drainage. 



Several thousand feet of roads and paths have been sub-graded, 

 but no portion has yet been surfaced with road metal. A force, 

 however, is now being organized for breaking and preparing the 

 stone for that purpose. 



In the upper portion of the park, in order to lessen the amount 

 of excavation, the roads have been graded for short distances as 

 steep as one in twenty-five. Still, owing to the comparatively low 

 grade of Flatbush avenue, from which it was necessary to start, and 

 to the elevation of the park ground opposite the reservoir — owing 

 also to the very rough condition of the adjoining ground, caused in 

 part by the excavation made for clay used in the construction of the 

 reservoir — the expense for grading has necessarily been large. On 

 the west side the amount of excavation has been still further in- 

 creased by the existence of a peat bog over which the drive passes. 

 To secure a good foundation, this peat has been taken out, and its 

 place supplied by material taken from a broad, low hill that ob- 

 structed the view over a considerable portion of the park, from near 

 the entrance. 



In the general management of the matters entrusted to my charge, 

 I have been very efficiently aided by Mr. Bogart and Mr. Culyer, in 

 their respective departments. 



Eespectfully submitted, 



JOS. P. DAVIS, 



Engineer in charge. 



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